Special theatrical premiere of TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING in major Canadian cities in June

VIZ MEDIA AND ELEVEN ARTS PRESENT

TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING

IN A SPECIAL THEATRCIAL PREMIERE IN

MAJOR CANADIAN CITIES IN JUNE

Japan’s Favorite Corporately Sponsored Superheroes

Deliver The Action For A Big Screen Premiere With

A New Look, New Heroes, And An Intense Battle

Against A New Cast Of Powerful Villains

VIZ Media continues its collaboration with Los Angeles-based film distribution company ELEVEN ARTS and issues a special invitation to fans and filmgoers in Canada to attend the theatrical premiere of TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING in 35 Canadian cities – for two days only – Thursday and Sunday, June 26th and 29th.

For this special theatrical event, Japan’s favorite new breed of crime-fighting superhero delivers the big screen anime action to cities across Canada including Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and many more. Tickets will be available for $12.95 (CAN) each for adults and $10.95 (CAN) each for children (under 12). Attendees will also receive a free 12” x 18” double-sided premium cardstock TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING movie poster, while supplies last. A complete list of screenings along with ticket information and theatre locations is available at: http://www.cineplex.com/Movie/tiger-bunny-the-movie-the-rising.

In TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING, the heroes are back in an all-new feature-length film! Kotetsu T. Kaburagi, a.k.a. Wild Tiger, and Barnaby Brooks Jr.’s partnership comes to a sudden end when Apollon Media’s new owner Mark Schneider fires Kotetsu and moves Barnaby back into the First League, pairing him up with Golden Ryan, a new hero with awesome powers and a huge ego to match. When the heroes are sent to investigate a string of strange incidents tied closely to the city’s Goddess Legend, they discover three super-powered NEXTs plotting to bring terror and destruction to Stern Bild.

VIZ Media is the also distributor of the TIGER & BUNNY manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens), which features artwork by Mizuki Sakakibara and is based on the smash hit animated series, created by the famed Tokyo-based anime studio Sunrise. VIZ Media also licenses and distributes the popular TIGER & BUNNY feature film and anime series that are available on DVD/Blu-ray as well as on the company’s NeonAlley.com, the new online destination for on-demand anime.

More information on the TIGER & BUNNY anime is available at: www.facebook.com/TigerAndBunny and VIZAnime.com/tiger-and-bunny/

For more information on manga titles available from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com
.

TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING to screen in 22 U.S. cities

VIZ MEDIA ADDS

TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING

SAN FRANCISCO NEW PEOPLE CINEMA

THEATRICAL SCREENING

22 Major U.S. Cities To Screen The All-New Anime Action

Film From The Smash Hit Japanese Superhero Franchise

VIZ Media has announced a special theatrical screening of the new anime feature film TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING for fans based in the San Francisco Bay area on March 22nd at the NEW PEOPLE Cinema, located inside the dynamic Japanese pop culture entertainment venue in San Francisco’s Japantown at 1746 Post St. In partnership with ELEVEN ARTS, the second and latest action-packed feature film in the smash hit Japanese superhero franchise is also debuting in a national theatrical premiere at select theaters in 21 U.S. cities Friday, March 14th through March 26th.

TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING, which premiered in Japan in February, will screen at the ultra-modern NEW PEOPLE Cinema on Saturday, March 22nd at 2:30pm and again at 6:00pm. Pre-sale tickets for the special NEW PEOPLE premiere are on sale now for $15.00 each (plus service fees) and are available exclusively at the theatre box office or at: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/582176. A special TIGER & BUNNY premium clear movie file card and a full-color mini double-sided poster also will be given to attendees while supplies last. Additional screening information is also available from the NEW PEOPLE website at: www.newpeopleworld.com/schedule/2014/2/14/tiger-bunny-the-movie-the-rising.

For moviegoers outside of the San Francisco area, TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING will screen in an additional 21 U.S. cities including New York, Boston, Chicago, Portland, Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Houston, Miami and more. Tickets are currently on-sale for $15.00 each. Attendees will each receive the free 12” x 18” premium cardstock movie mini-poster and exclusive clear movie file card while supplies last. Visit www.elevenarts.net/th_gallery/tigerandbunny-therising/ for a complete list of cities and advance ticket sales.

In TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING, the heroes are back in an all-new feature-length film! Kotetsu T. Kaburagi, a.k.a. Wild Tiger, and Barnaby Brooks Jr.’s partnership comes to a sudden end when Apollon Media’s new owner Mark Schneider fires Kotetsu and moves Barnaby back into the First League, pairing him up with Golden Ryan, a new hero with awesome powers and a huge ego to match. When the heroes are sent to investigate a string of strange incidents tied closely to the city’s Goddess Legend, they discover three superpowered NEXTs plotting to bring terror and destruction to Stern Bild.

VIZ Media is also the distributor of the TIGER & BUNNY manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens), which features artwork by Mizuki Sakakibara and is based on the massively popular animated series, created by the famed Tokyo-based anime studio Sunrise. VIZ Media also licenses and distributes the popular TIGER & BUNNY feature film and anime series that are available on DVD/Blu-ray.

More information on the TIGER & BUNNY anime is available at: www.facebook.com/TigerAndBunny and VIZAnime.com/tiger-and-bunny/

For more information on manga titles available from VIZ Media, visit www.VIZ.com.

ACF 2044: New anime and manga releases for TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE BEGINNING

Blu-ray cover: ©SUNRISE/T&B MOVIE PARTNERS

 VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NORTH AMERICAN

DVD/BLU-RAY AND MANGA ADAPTATION

RELEASES FOR ACTION FEATURE FILM

TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE BEGINNING

Catch Japan’s First Corporate Superheroes Wild Tiger And

Barnaby Brooks Jr. In Their Feature Film Debut As They

Work Together To Catch The Killer Of Brooks’ Parents

And Discover The Identity Of A Murderous Vigilante

VIZ Media has announced new anime and manga (graphic novel) releases for TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE BEGINNING, the rollicking, fast-paced feature film that that delivers a new spin on the classic superhero story.

TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE BEGINNING debuts on DVD and Blu-ray on October 1st, with a rating of TV-14, and a DVD MSRP of $19.99 U.S. / $24.98 CAN; Blu-ray MSRP of $24.98 U.S. / $27.50 CAN. The DVD and Blu-ray editions feature special plot trailers and previews as well as a Weekly Hero Countdown segment. DVD Bonus Features include Production Art and footage from the TIGER & BUNNY U.S. World Premiere Event Special. The Blu-ray edition also contains over 3 hours of Bonus Features, including Production Art and footage from the TIGER & BUNNY U.S. World Premiere Event Special, as well as an Anime Expo 2012 TIGER & BUNNY Highlight Reel and interviews with the U.S. and Japanese voice actor cast and production staff.

TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE BEGINNING SIDE A & SIDE B is the 2-volume manga adaptation of the feature film, debuting on October 8th (print-only) with a rating ‘T’ for Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN for each volume.

TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE BEGINNING is an exciting movie that takes audiences on a wild journey to the metropolis of Stern Bild, where there are heroes that wear the logos of sponsors and protect the city from danger. Their exploits are broadcast on the popular HERO TV. Wild Tiger (Kotetsu T. Kaburagi) is a veteran superhero who is past his peak and is ordered by his company to team up with the rookie hero, Barnaby Brooks Jr. after his ratings begin to slip. Can these two mismatched superheroes overcome their differences to protect the city?

Manga cover ("Side A"): © S/TBM

“We’re very excited to give fans of this smash hit property the opportunity to add the thrilling feature film and its manga counterpart to their collections,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Marketing Manager, Animation. “Wild Tiger and Barnaby Brooks Jr. each have vastly differing points of view and thoughts on how a superhero should act but they will have to learn to accommodate each other as they try to crack the mystery of the murder of Barnaby's parents and the appearance of a very dangerous vigilante named Lunatic!”

Episodes of the TIGER & BUNNY anime series are also available on Neon Alley, VIZ Media’s innovative 24/7 digital anime channel featuring the world’s best anime (dubbed and uncut).

More information on the Tiger & Bunny, visit: www.facebook.com/TigerAndBunny and VIZAnime.com/tiger-and-bunny/.

For more information on manga titles available from VIZ Media, visit www.VIZ.com.

ACF 1998: TIGER & BUNNY 2-in-1 Anthology Now Available From VIZ

TIGER & BUNNY ANTHOLOGY © S/T&B, M

 VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF

TIGER & BUNNY COMIC ANTHOLOGY 2-IN-1

First Of A 2-Volume Homage To The Superhero Smash Hit Anime

Series Features A Humorous Collection Of Inspired Shorts

VIZ Media delivers an entirely new take on the superhero manga action of TIGER & BUNNY with the release of the TIGER & BUNNY: COMIC ANTHOLOGY 2-IN-1. The new release is now available, and is rated ‘T’ for Teens, carrying an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN.

Inspired by the hit anime series from Sunrise Studio, Ltd., TIGER & BUNNY (also licensed in North America by VIZ Media), the TIGER & BUNNY: COMIC ANTHOLOGY features a collection of humorous shorts by an all-star manga artist line-up. The volume also includes 4 full-color bonus pages featuring key character artwork from the anime series.

The heroes of Stern Bild City are larger than life when they appear on Hero TV, but when they take off their costumes their lives are just like anyone else’s! Or are they?! What do you do when you’re a hero and invited to a Halloween costume party? See how our heroes stay in shape (and keep their hair from getting messed up). And exactly what is Saito saying under his breath? Over two-dozen stories take you deep into the world of Tiger & Bunny!

“The TIGER & BUNNY: COMIC ANTHOLOGY 2-In-1 is the first of a unique, 2-volume homage to the bestselling anime/manga series about a future where corporate-sponsored superheroes battle evil, and often each other, for reality TV ratings,” says Mike Montesa, Editor. “This new release features 18 of Japan’s top doujinshi, self-published, amateur manga artists, who present a collection of distinctive and often hilarious shorts that imagine a whole new ‘off-duty’ side to Wild Tiger, Barnaby Brooks Jr. and other memorable characters from the hit series. Don’t miss this fun new addition to the TIGER & BUNNY universe!”

The TIGER & BUNNY manga series features artwork by Mizuki Sakakibara and is based on the smash hit animated series by the famed anime studio Sunrise that has also thrilled legions of fans across North America on VIZ Media’s Neon Alley 24/7 anime channel.

For more information on the Tiger & Bunny, visit: www.facebook.com/TigerAndBunny and VIZAnime.com/tiger-and-bunny/.

For more information on manga titles available from VIZ Media, visit www.VIZ.com.

ACF 1866: TIGER & BUNNY manga series now available from VIZ

© S/T&B, M

 VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES TIGER & BUNNY MANGA

SERIES—OFFICIAL TIE-IN TO SMASH HIT ANIME

Action-Packed Series Features Corporate Superheroes And

An Unlikely Friendship Between A Washed-Up Veteran

Crime Fighter And A Rookie With An Attitude

What would a future look like where corporate-sponsored superheroes battle evil – and often each other – for reality TV ratings? Find out in the TIGER & BUNNY manga (graphic novel), now available from VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America. The new series, published under the VIZ Media imprint, is rated ‘T’ for Teens and carries an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. Volume 1 also features 4 pages of additional full-color character art.

The TIGER & BUNNY manga features artwork by Mizuki Sakakibara and is based on the smash hit animated series, created by the famed Tokyo-based anime studio Sunrise, that has thrilled legions of fans across North America on VIZ Media’s Neon Alley, VIZAnime, and Hulu. The 26-episode anime sci-fi/action adventure notably features character and hero designs conceived by Masakazu Katsura (VIDEO GIRL AI and I"S; both available from VIZ Media) that are also carried over to the new manga property.

The TIGER & BUNNY manga series introduces readers to super-powered humans, known as NEXT, that appeared in the world 45 years ago. Some of them fight crime in the city of Stern Bild while promoting their corporate sponsors on the hit show HERO TV. The people love their superheroes, even if they don’t completely understand them, and not all of the NEXT use their powers for good. Veteran hero Wild Tiger has years of experience fighting crime, but his ratings have been slipping. Under orders from his new employer, Wild Tiger finds himself forced to team up with Barnaby Brooks Jr., a rookie with an attitude. Overcoming their differences will be at least as difficult for this mismatched duo as taking down super-powered bad guys!

“TIGER & BUNNY updates the classic superhero story of good versus evil with a fun new twist, and offers a tale of a young cocky upstart who is reluctantly partnered with an experienced veteran crime fighter, and how these two completely opposite personalities must put their differences aside and work together as a team,” says Mike Montesa, Editor. “The new series also presents an entirely new take on the world of reality TV and corporate underwriting as this mismatched duo become unlikely friends and cohorts tasked with taking down an assortment of super-powered bad guys! Take the journey to Stern Bild city in this intriguing new series where the action takes off from the very first page!”

VIZ Media also offers TIGER & BUNNY Set 1, a 2-disc anime set available on DVD (MSRP of $44.82 U.S. / $43.24 CAN) and Blu-ray (MSRP of $54.97 U.S. / $66.15 CAN), which features Episodes 1-13 of the 26-episode action/sci-fi series. TIGER & BUNNY Set 2 offers the concluding half of the series and is scheduled for release in May.

More information on the Tiger & Bunny anime is available at: www.facebook.com/TigerAndBunny and VIZAnime.com/tiger-and-bunny/

For more information on manga titles available from VIZ Media, visit www.VIZ.com.

ACF 1810: TIGER & BUNNY Set 1

© SUNRISE/T&B PARTNERS, MBS

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NORTH AMERICAN DVD
AND BLU-RAY RELEASE OF TIGER & BUNNY SET 1

Catch Japan’s First Corporate Superheroes
In An Action-Packed Anime Series
That Explores A Most Unlikely Friendship Between

A Washed-Up Veteran And A Rookie With An Attitude

VIZ Media will be giving fans a rollicking dose of anime action with the DVD and Blu-ray release on February 19th of TIGER & BUNNY Set 1. The 2-disc set, which contains Episodes 1-13 of the 26-episode action/sci-fi series, is rated TV-14, and will carry a DVD MSRP of $44.82 U.S. / $43.24 CAN, and a Blu-ray MSRP of $54.97 U.S. / $66.15 CAN.

To celebrate the new release, for a limited time only starting February 12th, VIZ Media also invites North American fans to catch free virtual screening of TIGER & BUNNY Episode 1 (English dubbed) hosted by VIZ Media DVD/Blu-ray producer Reginald Rhodes. At the end of the screening, viewers will have the opportunity to enter to win TIGER & BUNNY Set 1 (Blu-ray edition) or a 16GB iPad Mini. The contest runs until March 5th; please visit the TIGER & BUNNY official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TigerAndBunny or YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/vizmedia, for the special screening and contest instructions.

“TIGER & BUNNY enjoys a substantial and fast-growing U.S. and international fan following, and we’re extremely excited to bring the series to the attention of even more viewers with these new DVD and Blu-ray releases,” says Brian Ige, Vice President, Animation. “TIGER & BUNNY puts a new spin on the classic superhero narrative while incorporating lots of action, comedy, and drama into a unique story about a most unlikely friendship. Don’t miss this thrilling story of two polar opposites working to fight evil!”

TIGER & BUNNY DVD Set 1 offers English (dubbed) and Japanese (English subtitled) 2.0 stereo audio options as well as bonus features including production art and the original Japanese trailer. The Blu-ray edition features 1080p High Definition video, English and Japanese DTS-HD Audio as well as English subtitles, a special Making of TIGER & BUNNY segment, logo and production art, and the original Japanese trailer for the series.

TIGER & BUNNY was produced by the famed Japanese anime company, Sunrise, and was directed by Keiichi Sato (director of KARAS), with original character designs by Masakazu Katsura, the creator of the manga series, I”S and VIDEO GIRL AI, and ZETMAN. Stern Bild City is a thriving metropolis where superheroes called “NEXTs” protect the streets, sponsors pull the strings, and a hugely popular show called Hero TV captures all of it. Veteran hero Kotetsu T. Kaburagi (AKA Wild Tiger) and hotheaded new rookie Barnaby Brooks, Jr. (nicknamed Bunny by Kotetsu) are forced to team up not only to protect Stern Bild City, but to earn as many points on Hero TV as possible. Joined by a diverse cast of heroes, each with different powers and answering to their own corporate sponsors, Tiger and Bunny must find a way to work together, uncover the secret of the “Ouroboros,” and earn enough points to become this year’s “King of Heroes.”

To view the official trailer and to follow TIGER & BUNNY on the official Facebook page, please visit http://www.facebook.com/TigerAndBunny.

ACF 1655: VIZ Media coming to New York Comic Con 2012

VIZ MEDIA BRINGS ANIME AND MANGA FUN
TO THE BIG APPLE FOR
NEW YORK COMIC CON 2012

Meet The Character Designer For TIGER & BUNNY, Sample Digital Manga,
Neon Alley And WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA, And More
As VIZ Media Returns To The East Coast’s Biggest Pop Culture Convention

VIZ Media the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, returns to New York City for the 2012 New York Comic Con with an array of events, special booth appearances, insightful panel discussions and promotional giveaways. New York Comic Con takes place October 11th-14th at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. VIZ Media will be located in Booth 2042.

New York Comic Con is the East Coast's biggest and most exciting popular culture convention and plays host to the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television. More information on New York Comic Con is available at: http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com.

VIZ Media is pleased to welcome Masakazu Katsura, TIGER & BUNNY character designer and creator of manga hits VIDEO GIRL AI, I”S, ZETMAN and more. Mr. Katsura will appear at a special signing session at the VIZ Media booth on Saturday, October 13th at 4:30PM, along with Sunrise Studio Producer Yasuo Miyakawa. Mr. Katsura and Mr. Miyakawa will speak on the Tiger & Bunny: Insider’s Panel, held in at 6:30PM the same day in Room 1A23, where fans can find out what it was like to make the anime.

The VIZ Media booth will be a must-visit attraction for digital manga and anime fans at the convention. Visitors can test drive the VIZ Manga digital manga platform on a laptop through VIZManga.com, as well as through the VIZ Manga App for iPad, iPod touch, Android Nexus 7 tablet and Android smartphone. Fans that download the FREE VIZ Manga App will recieve an exclusive full-color 27”x39” BLEACH poster!  Besides being able to read the latest Bleach volumes on the go, fans can choose from over 850 volumes of pure manga goodness, including Bakuman Vol. 15, Blue Exorcist Vol. 8 and much, much more. 

NARUTO © 1999 by Masashi Kishimoto/SHUEISHA Inc.

Visitors can also sample the latest issues of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA, North America’s preeminent weekly digital manga magazine, on an assortment of Android- and Mac OS-based devices. Each new digital edition of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA treats manga fans in North America to the latest chapters of some of the world’s most popular manga series only two weeks after they debut in Japan’s massively popular WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP magazine. Attendees that sign-up for a WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA annual membership will receive a rare Slifer the Sky Dragon YU-GI-OH! trading card.

The SHONEN JUMP Alpha team will also host two additional events. A special offsite will be held on Friday, October 12th from 5:00pm-8:00pm at the Kinokuniya Bookstore, located at 1073 Avenue of the Americas (between 40th & 41st Streets). Mingle with other fans of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA, catch the debut of the SJ Alpha 2013 yearbook, and meet special guest Masakazu Katsura and the staff of SJ Alpha. Finally, the team will speak on the SHONEN JUMP ALPHA Panel on Saturday October 13th from 7:45pm-8:45pm, in Room 1A23. TEAMJUMP will have awesome announcements, and Katsura-sensei will again make a special appearance.

Throughout the convention, VIZ Media will celebrate the launch of Neon Alley, a new 24-hour anime channel debuting across the United States and Canada exclusively on the PlayStation Network and the PlayStation 3 system on October 2nd Neon Alley will feature the world’s best titles, dubbed in English and uncut, and presented in HD when available. Neon Alley is the first platform designed to be studio agnostic, and programming will include exclusive premieres and blockbusters from VIZ Media, as well as content from Aniplex, FUNimation, NTV, Taiseng, Anime News Network and more. Fans that sign up for a Neon Alley subscription during the show (limited time one week free offer, and only $6.99 per month thereafter) will receive a special Neon Alley tote bag.

VIZ Media invites younger anime and manga fans to join in the fun at the booth for special guest appearances and VIZ Kids giveaways! On Friday, October 12th meet some of the creative staff behind the new VOLTRON FORCE original graphic novel, series writer Brian Smith and artist Jacob Chabot, at 10:30am to meet fans and sign posters. Fans can also meet the creative staff behind the recently debuted REDAKAI graphic novel, inspired by the popular Cartoon Network animated series and the innovative trading card game developed by Spin Master. Writer Mike Raicht will appear at the booth on Friday October 12th at 3:30pm, and artist Zach Turner will appear at Sunday October 14th at 1:30pm to meet fans and sign posters of the graphic novel.

Other fun free VIZ Media convention giveaways will include samplers from the VIZ Kids imprint; mini-samplers of BLUE EXORCIST, the newly released LOVELESS, and the upcoming STROBE EDGE; full-color LOVELESS postcards; Neon Alley wristbands, and more. Fans can also sign up for the VIZ Media newsletter and be entered for a chance to win a NOOK Color or a NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND manga box set.

Finally, the annual VIZ Media Panel will be on Sunday October 14th at 12:15pm in Room 1A12. Get the scoop on Neon Alley, VIZ Manga, and your favorite manga and anime! Also get the latest updates and exciting news on new acquisitions, upcoming releases, and upcoming projects.

ACF 1611: North American anime feature film premiere of TIGER & BUNNY - THE BEGINNING

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NORTH AMERICAN ANIME
FEATURE FILM PREMIERE FOR 
TIGER & BUNNY – THE BEGINNING

Catch Japan’s First Corporate Superheroes In Their Big Screen Debut

At San Francisco’s NEW PEOPLE Cinema;

Fans Nationwide Encouraged To Enter TIGER & BUNNY

Cosplay Contest To Win Valuable Prizes!

VIZ Media brings the hero-inspired big screen action of the smash hit anime property – TIGER & BUNNY – home to the Bay Area as it announces a very special North American theatrical premiere event for TIGER & BUNNY – THE BEGINNING to be held at the NEW PEOPLE Cinema, located inside the dynamic Japanese pop culture entertainment venue in San Francisco’s Japantown at 1746 Post St.

TIGER & BUNNY – THE BEGINNING will screen on Saturday, September 29th at 4:00pm and 7:00pm. The film will be presented with original Japanese dialogue and English subtitles. Advanced Tickets are $10.00 and are available online at NewPeopleWorld.com/films/films-9-2012/; advance ticketholders will receive a limited edition Wild Tiger Card at the premiere screening. Day-of tickets (subject to availability) will be available at the NEW PEOPLE Cinema box office.

The TIGER & BUNNY – THE BEGINNING North American premiere event will also feature a special cosplay contest open to all fans nationwide and those attending the theatrical premiere.  The online cosplay contest will kick off on Monday, September 10th and run until Friday, September 28th. Fans are encouraged to don their best TIGER & BUNNY-inspired costume and submit a picture for a chance to win valuable domestic and Japanese TIGER & BUNNY licensed products. An on-site TIGER & BUNNY contest will also be streamed to the Tiger & Bunny Facebook page on the day of the NEW PEOPLE Cinema premiere. Categories for the cosplay contest include: Hero Suit, Off-Duty and Support Crew. Official prize sponsors include YesAnime, Animate, Gaia Online and Bluefin. Please check the official TIGER & BUNNY Facebook page for http://www.facebook.com/TigerAndBunny on September 10th for the official entry page. 

The Wild Tiger trading card

“TIGER & BUNNY – THE BEGINNING is a rollicking, fast-paced movie that puts a unique spin on the classic superhero story while blending plenty of action, comedy, and drama into a fun anime adventure that is sure to delight fans,” says Daisuke Aoki, Vice President, Animation Licensing. “We invite fans everywhere to think like heroes, get creative, and join in the TIGER & BUNNY cosplay contest for a chance to win some cool prizes!”

TIGER & BUNNY – THE BEGINNING is an exciting feature film that takes audiences on a wild journey to the metropolis of Stern Bild, where there are heroes that wear the logos of sponsors and protect the city from danger. Their exploits are broadcast on the popular HERO TV. Wild Tiger (Kotetsu T. Kaburagi) is a veteran superhero who is past his peak and is ordered by his company to team up with the rookie hero, Barnaby Brooks Jr. Can these two mismatched superheroes overcome their differences to protect the city?

Episodes of the TIGER & BUNNY anime series are currently available on VIZAnime.com, the company’s exclusive web destination for anime, and will also be carried this fall on Neon Alley, VIZ Media’s forthcoming 24-hour anime channel featuring the world’s best anime (dubbed and uncut).

To view the official trailer and to follow TIGER & BUNNY on the official Facebook page, please visit http://www.facebook.com/TigerAndBunny.

For more information on TIGER & BUNNY and other animated titles from VIZ Media please visit VIZAnime.com.

ACF 1042: VIZ acquires license for anime action series "Tiger & Bunny"

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES PRODUCT LICENSE FOR
HOT NEW ANIME ACTION SERIES TIGER & BUNNY

A Washed-Up Veteran And A Rookie With An Attitude Team Up
To Become The Best And Worst Superhero Duo Of All Time!

VIZ Media has announced it has been named the exclusive U.S. product licensor for the new animated crime-fighting action series TIGER & BUNNY. The company will showcase the property to a variety of potential merchandise partners during the 2011 Licensing International Expo, held in Las Vegas, June 14th-16th, 2011. VIZ Media will be located in Booth #2481.

The Licensing International Expo is held at Mandalay Bay Convention Center and is the preeminent marketplace for the hottest international brands and properties. The vent features a show floor of more than 7,000 properties from all of Hollywood’s major film studios, global entertainment companies, Fortune 500 consumer brands, sporting teams, interactive properties, fashion labels, and cutting-edge artists and designers. The annual event celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2010.

TIGER & BUNNY currently simulcasts the same day it debuts in Japan on HULU (www.Hulu.com) and VIZAnime.com, the company’s own exclusive web destination for anime. TIGER & BUNNY Blu-ray currently rank Number 1 on Amazon Japan, and a wide variety of toys, collectables, and other products are already licensed for the Japanese market.

“We’re very excited to participate again at the Licensing International Expo, and this year we’ll showcase TIGER & BUNNY, a new series that has been the subject of tremendous buzz among fan circles,” says Tracy Hanchett, Director, Consumer Products. “With its multi-textured characters and unique blend of comedy and over the top action, the TIGER & BUNNY brand is ideally suited to a range of product merchandising options across all categories for the key male 14-25 demographic. We look forward to meeting with leading product partners at the show to explore the exciting range of possibilities for this hot new property.”

TIGER & BUNNY (rated TV-14) is directed by Keiichi Sato (director of KARAS), with original character designs by Masakazu Katsura, creator of the manga series, I”S and VIDEO GIRL AI (also published by VIZ Media). Stern Bild is a metropolitan city where superheroes called NEXT help to maintain peace. Sporting sponsor logos on their suits, these heroes work to solve cases and save people’s lives in order to earn Hero Points, while also helping to improve the public image of their corporate sponsors. Their activities are documented and broadcast by the popular show “HERO TV,” in which each superhero strives to become the “King of Heroes” of the year.

One such hero is Wild Tiger (real name Kotetsu T. Kaburagi), a veteran superhero who relies on his years of experience and instincts to fight crime. Though obligated to work for his boss’s best interest, Kotetsu follows his own code of honor and is even willing to cause destruction to public property for the sake of protecting the lives of his fellow citizens. Over time, he has grudgingly earned the nickname “Crusher for Justice.” Now, Kotetsu suddenly finds himself forced to team up with rookie hero Barnaby Brooks Jr.

To view the official trailer and to follow TIGER & BUNNY on the official Facebook page, visit http://www.facebook.com/TigerAndBunny.

More information on TIGER & BUNNY and other animated titles from VIZ Media is available at www.VIZAnime.com.